Tool for use with shingle patch for hail damage repair of asphalt shingles

ABSTRACT

A tool for use with a shingle patch for repairing damaged asphalt shingles, the tool includes an L-shaped member having one edge portion tapered. The tapered edge portion of the tool is used as a wedging member for sliding under and lifting the bottom edge of a shingle so as to insert thereunder at least a portion of the shingle patch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods forrepairing and sealing asphalt shingles and, more particularly, toseveral embodiments of a shingle patch for repairing hail damage to anasphalt shingle and to an integral nail/disk combination structure foreliminating exposed roof nails when applying new or replacement shinglesto a roof structure.

Shingled roofs are typically laid in an overlapping pattern whichnecessarily requires the roofer to begin laying the shingles at thelowest point of the roof and moving horizontally until one row ofshingles is complete. Asphalt shingles are typically nailed to the roofalong the uppermost perimeter edge and the horizontal rows progressupwardly with each asphalt shingle slightly overlapping the one belowit, thereby covering the nails securing the underlying shingle. Withthis progression, the shingles are laid in an overlapping specificpattern and it can be seen that at certain positions on the roof, forexample, at edges abutting dormers, chimneys, and at the last row ofshingles at the apex of the roof, the last course of nails will not becovered by an adjacent shingle and such uncovered nails are thereforeexposed to the elements. If left exposed, such uncovered nails willcorrode to the point that they may lose their grip or hold on therespective shingles that they are securing to the roof structure.

Shingled roofs are also subject to a wide variety of weather-relateddamage including hail damage, storm damage, wind damage and the like. Inthe particular case of hail damage, or any other damage to a particularasphalt shingle, the present methods for replacing damaged shingles arelabor-intensive, time consuming and not very cost-effective,particularly, if the damaged shingles are located in the center portionof the roof structure. Current replacement methods typically require aroofer to remove the damaged shingles, which, repair also then requiresremoval or at least lifting and separating surrounding shingles sinceshingled roofs are laid in an overlapping fashion as explained' above.Because replacing individual shingles is time consuming,labor-intensive, and may even cause damage to surrounding shingles,there does exist a need for a better, less labor-intensive, and fastersystem for repairing damaged asphalt shingles without necessarilyremoving the damaged shingle.

Still further, since the last course of nails typically associated withan asphalt shingled roof are exposed to the elements, many buildingcodes typically require that this last row of exposed roofing nails besealed with some type of sealant. Roofers typically attempt to seal theexposed roof nails by using caulking to cover such nails. This istypically messy and an inefficient process. Almost all asphalt shinglescome with a 25 or 50-year manufacturer's warranty. Caulking applied tothe uncovered nail heads that are exposed to the elements will typicallydegrade and only last a few years. This breakdown in the caulking orother sealant also exposes the roof/shingle system to premature leaksand other damage thereby mandating that the sealing procedure berepeated to preserve the integrity of the roof structure. In addition,once a tube of caulking is opened, unavoidable exposure of the contentsprevents reuse of leftover caulking at another job site. As a result,caulking is wasted and is usually discarded if not entirely used. As aresult, there is likewise a need to develop a system for eliminatingexposed roof nails, which system would last the life of the newshingles, match the colors of the existing shingles, and save time andmoney if caulking and other sealants could be eliminated from theroofing process.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that a need exists for both a shingle patch for hail damage repairof asphalt shingles as well as an integral nail/disk structure foreliminating exposed roof nails. The present invention addresses both ofthese needs as well as other needs which will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art after reading the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to several embodiments of a shinglepatch and an asphalt emulsion injector system which can be used torepair hail damage and any other shingle damage associated with asphaltshingles as well as to an integrated nail/disk structure which can beused around dormers, chimneys, the last course of nails on a shingledroof, and other places where exposed nail heads would typically existthereby eliminating any exposed roof nails on any shingled roof.

In one aspect of the present invention, several embodiments of a shinglepatch are disclosed wherein the patch can be overlaid on top of adamaged asphalt shingle such as a shingle having hail damage therebyeliminating the need for totally removing the damaged shingle. Oneembodiment of the present shingle patch includes a patch base memberhaving one end portion of the base member specifically structured forsliding under an existing shingle such as the shingle locatedimmediately above the damaged shingle, whereas the opposite end portionof the present shingle patch base member includes a roof nail built intothe patch itself. The top portion of the base member includes coloredgranules that are embedded into the patch so as to match the color ofthe existing damaged shingle. In this regard, the present patch can beproduced in multiple colors so as to match the known existing asphaltshingle colors in the marketplace, or the patch can be manufactured onsite in the field by using a pre-made patch base member as will behereinafter further explained and thereafter affixing colored granulesto the patch base member in the field so as to match the existing colorsof the roof to be repaired.

A sealant is associated with the bottom portion of the shingle patchbase member and with that portion of the patch base member to beinserted under the existing shingle located above the damaged shingle.This sealant is preferably heat activated and can be factory applied andis typically activated by the sun. A cellophane tape or other materialcan be placed over the sealant areas so as to prevent the sealant frombinding to any other material during shipment and storage. The tape isremoved prior to installing the shingle patch over the damaged shingle.In this regard, a technician will lift the bottom edge of the shinglethat lies just one row above the damaged shingle, remove the releasetape from that portion of the shingle patch that slides under theexisting shingle, and then insert that portion of the shingle patchunder the raised shingle. The raised shingle is then lowered onto thatportion of the shingle patch and that portion of the patch will bind tothe existing shingle through the sealant. Once inserted under theexisting adjacent shingle, the opposite end portion of the shingle patchhousing the integrated roof nail is then nailed to the damaged shinglethereby allowing the under surface of the shingle patch to seal directlyto the damaged shingle via the sealant located on the bottom portion ofthe present patch. Once complete, the present shingle patch will overlaythe damaged shingle and will match the color scheme of the roof. Sincethe damaged shingle remains in place, the present shingle patch providesa double layer of protection over the damaged shingle since the damagedshingle still provides some protection to the roof structure.

In another embodiment of the present shingle patch, the patch basemember again includes one end portion that slides under an existingshingle, colored granules embedded in its top surface to match the colorscheme of the roof shingle to be repaired, and a sealant covering boththat portion of the base member which again slides under the existingshingle as well as covering the bottom surface of the base member. Incontrast to the other embodiment of the present shingle patch, thispatch embodiment includes a flap portion at its opposite end portion,the flap portion being lifted so that a standard roof nail can be nailedthrough the corresponding mating surface of the base member into theunderlying damaged shingle. In this particular embodiment, an integratedroof nail is not associated with the patch. Instead, the inner surfaceof the flap portion and its corresponding mating surface are likewisecovered with a sealant and both surfaces are likewise covered with acellophane tape or other release tape to prevent such mating surfacesfrom bonding together until required. This embodiment of the presentpatch is again inserted under an existing shingle located immediatelyabove the damaged shingle and once so inserted, the flap portion at theopposite end portion of the base member is lifted, the release tape isremoved and a standard roof nail is then nailed through the matingsurface of the base member located under the flap portion and through,the damaged shingle located below. Once the standard roof nail ishammered into place, the flap portion is lowered such that the flap willcover the head of the standard roof nail just hammered into place. Assuch, the flap portion serves as a roof nail seal and completely coversthe nail head thereby preventing exposure to the elements. The sealantlocated on the bottom surface of the shingle patch as well as on themating flap areas and on the area that slides under the existing shingleare all preferably activated either by the sun or by other heat sourcesthereby bonding the shingle patch to the existing shingle, the damagedshingle and to various portions of the patch itself. Here again, thisembodiment of the present shingle patch overlays the damaged shingle andprovides an extra layer of protection to the roof structure.

In still another aspect of the present invention, an asphalt emulsionejector system is also disclosed for repairing a damaged shingle. Inthis method, a sealant or appropriate emulsion is injected under thedamaged shingle so as to cover the area where the damage occurred and tolikewise seal the bottom of the damaged shingle to the shingle locatedtherebelow. The upper surface of the damaged shingle is then filled witha liquid emulsion to seal the damaged area located on the top surface ofthe damaged shingle and color granules are placed in the emulsion tomatch the granules associated with the damaged shingle. In this method,no specific shingle patch is utilized.

In addition, several tools are disclosed which are specifically designedto raise the bottom edge of the shingle to be lifted so as to createenough space so as to slide the present shingle patch under the raisedshingle. One of the disclosed tools also includes a trowel portion withoptional saw teeth located along one or both opposed side edge portionsthereof for breaking up the sealed asphalt associated with the alreadyinstalled shingle to be lifted. The trowel portion of this tool canlikewise optionally include a heated portion to facilitate the break-upof the seal associated with the shingle to be lifted.

In still another aspect of the present invention, an integral nail/diskstructure is disclosed which eliminates the need of having any exposednails associated with a shingled roof. In this aspect of the presentinvention, a color matching asphalt shingle disk or other disk materialis integrally formed with a nail structure such that both the disk andnail are manufactured together. The body of the disk can take on anyshape such as a round shape, a rectangular shape, or a square shape madeof hail impact resistant shingle type material or other material whichcan include a reinforcing layer. A sealant again can optionally coverthe underside portion of the disk thereby allowing the disk topermanently seal to the existing shingle when the nail/disk structure isnailed into an existing shingle. The sealant helps to prevent water fromentering under the disk. The nail structure itself may include a barbedstructure to further improve attachment to the existing shingle.

The present nail/disk structure can be used in all places where anexposed nail head would typically exist on a shingled roof. Morespecifically, this nail/disk structure would be used as the last courseof nails on a typical shingled roof as well as around dormers, chimneysand the like. The present nail/disk structure eliminates the need forcaulking or using other sealants to cover exposed nail heads andlikewise saves time, money and improves the sealing capacity associatedwith the last course of nails in a typical shingled roof. The presentsystem and structure will last the life of the new roof shingles; itwill match the colors associated with a typical roof; and it eliminatesexposed nail heads.

The various embodiments of the present shingle patch provide an improvedroof repair system for repairing and/or replacing damaged shingles dueto severe weather damage such as hail and the like, and the integratedintegral nail/disk structure provides a weather-proof roofing nail sealcombination that prevents corrosion of nail heads due to exposure to theelements and also provides leak protection and eliminates exposedroofing nails.

These and other specific aspects and advantages of the presentembodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewingthe following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments setforth below which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,disclose improved structures for the roofing industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top planform view of one embodiment of the present shinglepatch constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shingle patch of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a typical shingled roof showing theoverlaying pattern arrangement of shingles before the present shinglepatch is applied for repair.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showing the presentshingle patch of FIGS. 1 and 2 in exploded view prior to insertion forrepair.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4 showing the presentshingle patch of FIGS. 1 and 2 positioned and attached to the existingroof structure and overlaying the damaged shingle.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the presentshingle patch constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another aspect of the present inventionillustrating one embodiment of the present nail/disk structure foreliminating exposed nail heads constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the nail/disk structure illustratedin FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tool that isspecifically designed to raise the bottom edge of a shingle to createenough space to slide the present shingle patch thereunder.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a tool for breakingthe seal of an already installed asphalt shingle without damaging theshingle, the tool likewise functioning to further lift the bottom edgeof a shingle to create space for sliding the present shingle patchthereunder.

FIG. 11 is a representative schematic view illustrating another methodfor repairing a damaged shingle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptionof the various embodiments of the present invention is provided forillustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers whereinlike numbers refer to like parts, the number 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 refersto one embodiment of a shingle patch used to repair damaged asphaltshingles constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentapplication. The shingle patch 10 includes a base member 12 sized andshaped similarly to a conventional asphalt shingle or smaller dependingupon the particular application, one end portion which includes anotched portion 14 which is specifically shaped and designed for slidingunder an existing shingle, such as the shingle located immediately abovethe damaged shingle, as will be hereinafter further explained. Thenotched portion 14 of base member 12 includes an overall height orthickness which is less than the overall height or thickness of theremainder of base member 12 as clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. Thenotched portion 14 is sized so as to be inserted under an existingshingle located immediately above the damaged shingle such that at leasta portion of the existing shingle will mate with and rest on top ofnotched portion 14. Notched portion 14 is thinner than the remainder ofbase member 12 to likewise avoid creating a hump under the existingshingle when it is overlaid on top of notched portion 14. A wall orledge portion 16 (FIG. 2) is formed flied between notched portion 14 andthe remainder of base member 12 and functions as a stop or abutmentsurface for the existing shingle when overlaid on top of notched portion14 thereby limiting the travel of the existing shingle when the notchedportion 14 is inserted under the existing shingle. This arrangement alsohelps to prevent rain water from infiltrating under the patch 10. Theoverall length L of notched portion 14 can be varied depending upon theparticular application and depending upon the particular size and styleof asphalt shingles to be repaired.

The notched portion 14 also includes a sealant and/or adhesive 18distributed across at least a portion of its upper surface as bestillustrated in FIG. 2 for mating with and attaching to the undersurfaceof the existing shingle when the existing shingle is overlaid on top ofnotched portion 14. The sealant 18 is preferably a heat activatedsealant which can be factory applied and is typically activated by thesun, although other heat sources can be applied to the notched portion14 to activate the sealant material. Preferably, the sealant 18 coversthe entire upper surface of the notched portion 14. A cellophane tape orother release material 19 can be placed over the sealant 18 so as toprevent the sealant from binding to any other material or object duringshipment and storage. The tape 19 is removed prior to installing theshingle patch 10 as will be hereinafter further explained.

The opposite end portion 20 of base member 12 includes a roofing nail 22built into the base member 12. Roofing nail 22 can be any knownconventional roofing nail suitable for asphalt shingles. The roofingnail 22 is attached or integrally formed with the shingle patch basemember 12 during the manufacturing process or, nail 22 can be otherwiseattached to member 12 after the manufacturing process so long as nail 22and base member 12 form a one-piece unit.

A sealant 26 is likewise associated with at least a portion of thebottom surface 24 of base member 12 as best illustrated in FIG. 2.Similar to sealant 18, sealant 26 is preferably a heat activated sealantand is likewise preferably factory applied and is typically activated bythe sun. Here again, sealant 26 preferably covers the entire bottomsurface 24 of base member 12. A cellophane tape or other material 27 islikewise placed over sealant 26 so as to again prevent the sealant frombinding to any other material or object during shipment and storage. Thetape 27 is removed prior to installing the shingle patch 10 over adamaged shingle as will be hereinafter further explained.

The top portion of base member 12 includes colored granules (not shown)that are embedded into the patch material so as to match the color ofthe existing damaged shingle to be repaired. In this regard, the presentshingle patch 10 can be produced in multiple colors so as to match theknown existing asphalt shingle colors present in the marketplace, or thebase member 12 can be color-coordinated with the shingles to be repairedon-site in the field by using a pre-made shingle base member 12 with nocolor granules associated therewith and thereafter affixing coloredgranules to the member 12 in the field so as to match the existingcolors of the roof to be repaired. Colored granules can be applied toany portion or the entire top surface of base member 12 in a knownconventional manner using appropriate, adhesives and/or other sealingmaterials.

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical asphalt shingled roof wherein theunderlying roof structure 30 is typically plywood or some other woodproduct. Typical asphalt shingles 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 are overlaid ina typical overlapping pattern as illustrated in FIG. 3. Assuming thatasphalt shingle 36 is damaged by hail or any other weather event, FIGS.4 and 5 illustrate the method for repairing damaged asphalt shingle 36using the present shingle patch 10. Repair will typically begin asillustrated in FIG. 4 where a technician will lift the bottom edge ofthe shingle that lies immediately above the damaged shingle. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the bottom edge of shingle 34 lies just one rowabove the damaged shingle 36. Lifting of the bottom edge of shingle 34can be accomplished with known tools in the trade or with the toolsillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 as will be hereafter further explained.Once the bottom edge of shingle 34 is lifted as illustrated, thetechnician will remove the release tape 19 and 27 associated withnotched portion 14 and the bottom surface 24 of base member 12respectively and then slide notched portion 14 of base member 12 underthe raised portion of shingle 34. The raised shingle portion of shingle34 is then lowered onto notched portion 14 and the heat activated orother sealant 18 associated therewith. As stated, prior to insertingnotched portion 14 under the raised shingle 34, the release tape 27associated with the bottom portion 24 of shingle patch 10 is likewiseremoved prior to installation.

Once notched portion 14 is inserted under the existing adjacent shingle34, the opposite end portion 20 of base member 12 housing the integratedroofing nail 22 is then nailed to the damaged shingle 36 as bestillustrated in FIG. 5. Once nailed, the undersurface of base member 12is sealed directly to the damaged shingle 36 via the sealant 26 locatedacross its bottom surface. Once completed, the shingle patch 10 willoverlay the damaged shingle 36 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and the coloredgranules associated with the top surface of base member 12 will matchthe color scheme of the other shingles 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 associatedwith the roof structure. The heat activated sealant 18 and 26 will bindto their respective mating surfaces by the heat generated from the sunif a heat activated sealant is used. Other heat sources can be used toimmediately activate the sealant 18 and 26 if so desired. This couldinclude using heat blowers, or using a different type of sealant. Sincethe damaged shingle 36 remains in place, the present shingle patch 10provides an extra layer of protection since the damaged shingle 36 stillprovides some protection to the roof structure. Depending upon the sizeof the damaged area associated with shingle 36, shingle patch 10 can besized and dimensioned so as to adequately overlay the damaged area ofshingle 36. In this regard, shingle patch 10 can merely cover a portionof shingle 36 or, in other embodiments, it can cover substantially allof shingle 36 if so desired. Shingle patch 10 can be made according toany dimensions up to and including covering the entire damaged asphaltshingle.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment 42 of the present shingle patch,namely, shingle patch 42. Patch 42 includes as a base member 44 againhaving a notched portion 46 associated with one end portion thereofwhich is constructed substantially similar to notched portion 14associated with shingle patch 10 including having a sealant 48 coveringat least a portion of the upper surface of notched portion 46 andlikewise including an abutment surface, ledge or stop portion 50 forpositioning and overlaying the existing adjacent shingle which will bepositioned on top of notched portion 46 as previously explained. Shinglepatch 42 likewise includes colored granules (not shown) embedded intoits top surface to match the color scheme of the roof shingles to berepaired, and a sealant 54 covering at least a portion of the bottomsurface 52 of base member 44 similar to sealant 26 associated withshingle patch 10.

Shingle patch 42 differs from shingle patch 10 in that it does notinclude an integrated roofing nail. Instead, the opposite end portion 56of base member 44 includes a flap portion 58 that can be moved or liftedaway from its mating surface 60 as best illustrated in FIG. 6 so that astandard roofing nail 62 can be nailed through the mating surface 60 ofbase member 44 into the underlying damaged shingle as will behereinafter explained. The flap portion 58 includes a sealant 64associated with its inner surface 65 and its mating base portion 60 canlikewise optionally include a sealant 64 as well for mating with andsealing with flap portion 58. Both flap surfaces 65 and 60 covered witha sealant 64 are likewise covered with a cellophane tape or otherrelease tape 66 so as to prevent these mating surfaces from bondingtogether until required. Again, sealant 64 can be a heat activatedsealant. Flap portion 58 should be sufficiently large enough so as toallow a roofing technician to hammer a conventional roofing nail throughbase member mating surface 60 and end portion 56 so as to complete theattachment of shingle patch 42 to the damaged shingle.

Shingle patch 42 is attached overlaying a damaged shingle in a mannersubstantially similar to shingle patch 10 as illustrated and discussedwith respect to FIGS. 3-5. In this regard, the notched portion 46 ofshingle patch 42 is again inserted under an existing shingle locatedimmediately above the damaged shingle as discussed above with respect toshingle patch 10. Here again, the release tape 49 covering sealant 48 isremoved prior to insertion under the existing shingle. In similarfashion, the release tape 55 associated with sealant 54 is likewiseremoved prior to insertion of the notched portion 46 under the existingshingle located immediately above the damaged shingle to be repaired.Once the notched portion 46 is properly positioned, shingle patch 42 islowered and positioned so as to overlay the damaged area of the damagedshingle and the sealant 54 associated with the bottom surface 52 ofshingle patch 42 is then allowed to seal directly to the damaged shinglevia the sealant 54 as previously explained. At this point, the flapportion 58 is lifted, the release tape 66 associated with both sealantsurfaces 64 is removed and a standard roofing nail 62 is then nailedthrough the mating surface 60 of base member 44 and through the damagedshingle located below. Once the standard roofing nail 62 is hammeredinto place, the flap portion 58 is lowered and the sealant 64 associatedwith flap portion 58 and/or mating surface 60 are allowed to bond aspreviously explained.

Importantly, flap portion 58 covers the head 68 of roofing nail 62 andserves as a seal thereby preventing the roofing nail 62 from beingexposed to the elements. Again, the respective heat activated sealants48, 54 and 64, if used, can all be activated either by the sun or byother heat sources thereby bonding the shingle patch 42 to the existingdamaged shingle, the adjacent existing shingle, and the various portionsof the mating flap portion 58. Here again, shingle patch 42 overlays thedamaged shingle and provides an extra layer of protection to the roofstructure. The method of positioning and attaching the shingle patch 42over a damaged shingle is substantially identical to the procedureoutlined with respect to shingle patch 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5except for using a standard roofing nail 62 as explained above. Likeshingle patch 10, shingle patch 42 can be sized and dimensioned aspreviously explained and depending upon the particular application.

FIGS. 9 and 10 disclose tools that can be used to easily lift the bottomedge of a shingle for sliding the notched portion 14 or 46 under thelifted shingle edge portion. Tool 82 illustrated in FIG. 9 is L-shapedin configuration and includes tool portions 84 and 86. Tool portion 86is used as a wedging member for sliding under the bottom edge portion ofa shingle and may include a tapered edge portion 88 to facilitate theinsertion process. This tool is specifically designed to raise thebottom edge of the shingle to create enough of a space to slide theshingle patch 10 or 42 under the raised shingle. This is accomplished bylining up tool 82 with the bottom of the shingle edge such that toolportion 86 and tapered portion 88 abut the bottom edge of the shingle. Ahammer can be used to hit the tool carefully to force the tool portion86 under the lap of the shingle. The length or depth of tool portion 86need only be as long as the overall Length of the notched portion 14 or46. Once tool portion 86 is positioned under the shingle edge portion, aprying force can be exerted against tool portion 84 to lift the bottomedge of the shingle.

Tool 90 illustrated in FIG. 10 can be used to beak the seal of analready installed asphalt shingle without damaging the shingle. The tool90 is a trowel shaped tool having a handle 92 and a trowel portion 94.The trowel portion 94 may include saw teeth or a serrated edge portion96 located along one or both opposed edge portions as illustrated inFIG. 10 to help break up the sealed asphalt as the trowel portion 94 isinserted under the bottom edge of a shingle. In addition, trowel portion94 may also be heated to further improve and facilitate the break-up ofthe seal associated with the shingle to be lifted. Heat can be providedto trowel portion 94 in a conventional manner such as the method used inan iron or curling iron. Tool 90 could also be used to life the bottomedge of a shingle to be raised once the seal has been broken or tool 82could be used after tool 90, if necessary.

FIG. 11 illustrates still another method for repairing a damagedshingle, namely, an asphalt emulsion injection system 98. This methodincludes injecting a sealant or emulsion/adhesive underneath the damagedshingle and then sealing the top damaged surface of the shingle with anemulsion and applying colored granules into the emulsion to match thecolor of the damaged shingle. In one aspect of the system 98, a smallhole is made in the center of the hale impacted or damaged area of theshingle such as hole 100 illustrated in FIG. 11. A sealant is theninjected or pumped under the damaged shingle through the use of a tube102 and an applicator device 104. The applicator device can be any knowndevice capable of pumping, pushing and/or moving a liquid asphaltemulsion/adhesive or any other appropriate sealant from the device 104through the tube 102 and through the hole 100 made in the damagedshingle to the area located under the damaged shingle. In this regard,the terminal end of the tube 102 is inserted into the hole 100 such thatthe sealant pumped therethrough will spread underneath shingle aroundthe area where the damage occurred. The sealant then seals and glues thebottom of the damaged shingle to the shingle located therebelow andseals the space therebetween. The hole and upper face of the damagedshingle, is then filled with a liquid emulsion to seal the hole and theupper damaged shingle area and colored granules are then placed in theemulsion to match the granules associated with the damaged shingle. Theapplicator device can be as simple as a caulking gun where the tube 102would be the nozzle associated with an adhesive, sealant or emulsioncontainer.

In another aspect of the asphalt emulsion ejector system 98, tube 102can be manipulated under the damaged shingle by using any one of thetools 82, 90 or any other suitable tool and the liquid emulsion canagain be pumped or moved under the damaged shingle and around thedamaged area to again seal the bottom of the damaged shingle to theshingle located therebelow. In this aspect of system 98, no hole 100need be made through the damaged shingle. Once a sealant is pumped underthe damaged area, the damaged upper face of the shingle is filled withan emulsion to seal the damaged area and colored granules are againplaced in the emulsion to match the granules associated with the damagedshingle. Either method of system 98 will adequately seal and repair thedamaged shingle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another aspect of the presentinvention illustrating one embodiment 70 of a nail/disk structure foreliminating exposed nail heads associated with a typical asphaltshingled roof. FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevational view of thenail/disk structure 70 of FIG. 7 and includes a color matching disk orbody member 72 which is integrally formed with a roofing nail 74 suchthat both the disk 72 and the nail 74 are manufactured together. Thebody of the disk 72 can be made from an asphalt shingle and it can takeon any shape including, but not limited to, around shape, a rectangularshape, or a square shape. The disk 72 can also be made of a hail impactresistant shingle type material which can include a reinforcing layer(not shown), or any other suitable material. The top portion 76 of disk72 includes colored granules embedded into its top surface so as tomatch the color scheme of the particular asphalt shingles being used fora particular application. In this regard, the disk 72 can be made from adifferent material other than asphalt and the color granules 76 can beapplied and attached thereto in any conventional manner. In anotherembodiment, disk 72 and color granules 76 can be one unitary structureformed from a color matching asphalt shingle itself. Either way, thedisk portion 72 is color coordinated to the asphalt shingles to which itwill be applied.

A sealant 78 can optionally cover the underside portion of disk 72 asbest illustrated in FIG. 8 thereby allowing the disk to permanently sealto the existing shingle when the present nail/disk structure 70 isnailed into an existing shingle. The sealant can be a heat activatedsealant which is preferably activated by the sun although other heatsources can be used to bond the disk 72 to an existing shingle. Otheradhesives can likewise be used in place of sealant 78. Regardless, thesealant 78 or other adhesive helps to prevent water from entering underthe disk surface. The nail structure 74 may include a barbed structure80 to further improve attachment to the existing shingle.

The present nail/disk structure 70 can be used in all places where anexposed nail head would typically exist on a shingle roof. This couldinclude use as the last course of nails on a typical shingled roof atthe apex of the roof, at edges abutting dormers and chimneys, and atother places where an exposed nail head would occur. The presentnail/disk structure 70 eliminates the need for caulking or using othersealants to cover exposed nail heads as previously explained and its usesaves time, money and improves the sealing capacity associated withexposed nails in a typical shingled roof. A roofing technician wouldcarry a plurality of the nail/disk structures 70 along with typicalroofing nails and would use the present structure 70 at all locationswhere the roofing nail will not be covered by another shingle. Thepresent system and structure would be compatible with the life of newroof shingles; it will match the colors associated with a particularroof; and it eliminates exposed nail heads.

A cellophane tape or other release tape (not shown) can be placed overthe sealant 78 so as to prevent the sealant from binding to any othermaterial during shipment and storage. The roof technician would have toremove the release tape prior to nailing the present structure 70 intoan asphalt shingle. The present structure 70 provides a water-proofroofing nail seal combination that prevents corrosion of nail heads dueto exposure to the elements and also provides leak protection since thedisk 72 substantially overlays the hole formed in the existing shinglethrough which the nail 74 is hammered. In addition, the sealant 78likewise provides additional leak protection if used. If a sealant isused, the sealant causes the disk 72 to permanently seal to the existingshingle and further prevents water from entering under the disk 72.Other advantages and features of the present nail/disk structure 70 willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

Understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising”and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended termsthat specify the presence of the stated features, elements, componentsand/or groups, but do not exclude the presence of other unstatedfeatures, elements, components and/or groups. The foregoing also appliesto words having similar meanings such as the terms “including”, “having”and their derivatives. The terms of degree such as “substantially”,“about” and “approximate” as used herein mean a reasonable amount ofdeviation of the modified term such that the end result is notsignificantly changed.

Only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the presentinventions. The various constructions described above and illustrated inthe drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intendedto limit the concepts and principals of the present inventions. It isalso recognized and anticipated that the size, shape, location and otherorientation of the various components and/or elements associated withthe present inventions can be changed as needed and/or as desireddepending upon a particular application. Components that are showndirectly connected or contacting each other can have intermediatestructures disposed between them. In addition, the functions of oneelement can be performed by two elements, and vice versa. The structuresand functions of one embodiment can also be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Thus, the foregoing descriptionsof the embodiments according to the present inventions are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the inventions asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novelshingle patch for damage repair of asphalt shingles as well as anintegral nail/disk structure for eliminating exposed roofing nails. Asis evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of thepresent inventions are not limited by the particular details of theexamples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that othermodifications, applications, variations, or equivalents thereof, willoccur to those skilled in the art. Many such changes, modifications,variations and other uses and applications of the present constructionswill, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art afterconsidering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All suchchanges, modifications, variations and other uses in applications whichdo not depart from the spirit and scope of the present inventions aredeemed to be covered by the inventions which are limited only by theclaims which follow.

1. A tool for lifting the bottom edge of a shingle comprising anL-shaped member having first and second tool portions, one of said firstand second tool portions being used as a wedging member for slidingunder the bottom edge of a shingle, said wedging member including atapered edge portion, the other of said first and second tool portionsbeing used to exert a prying force to lift the wedging member under thebottom edge of a shingle.